Factoring the race card on the campaign trail

A new poll suggests race could be an important factor in this fall's presidential election.

A survey by the L.A. Times finds 17-percent of respondents feel the nation is not yet ready to elect a black president. UW-Madison political scientist Charles Franklin, an expert on polling, feels the number may be somewhat high. Franklin wonders how survey questions can accurately measure public feelings on race and voting habits.

Franklin admits though that race will likely have an impact this fall. However, he says it remains largely unknown at this point.

The L.A. Times polls has Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain in a virtual tie. However, a new Zogby poll has McCain with a five-percent lead over the Democrat.